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Raising a boy

I never thought much about what you teach boys vs. girls until my son came along and now I stress over it too often. I don’t have any brothers but I do have a fantastic husband who has opened my eyes as to what makes a man.

Our society is so confused. It seems to put so much emphasis on women being treated as equals that it has belittled boys and men. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe women should get their education and be paid as much as male coworkers, I have witnessed the opposite in my own life. But somehow in our fight to be treated equally we have downplayed the role of men in our homes and society. Now having a son of my own, there are so many things I want him to learn that society no longer teaches or views as normal.

For instance, I want him to be a gentleman. I want him to always open doors for ladies. But the world often sees this as men treating women as incapable. I want him to see and know that women are and can be strong but should be treated delicately and respectfully. I want him to stand up for what’s right when it’s not popular. I want him to protect those that are smaller than him or who can’t stand up for themselves. I want him to be confident but not cocky. I want him to stand up for himself and not let others tear him down or walk all over him, but at the same time I want him to be sweet and gentle, yet brave and tough. He better never lay a finger on a woman but also never allow a woman to lay a hand on him.

As I write this I feel so overwhelmed with my responsibility as a mother of a boy. His heart is so sweet and pure, why do we as a society mess these perfect souls up so much?!

Luckily for me, he has some wonderful examples to watch and learn from; his father, his uncles, his grandfathers and his fathers’ friends.

I’m so grateful to be the mother of a boy and learn from him. I know it will be challenging teaching him things that are often viewed as “old fashioned” when the world is teaching him other things but I’m happy to add one more gentleman to the world!